Surviving BreyerFest, part one

June was long. I'm glad it's July.

July means one thing: BreyerFest!

This year's event is the first in-person BreyerFest since 2019. Expectations are high, but so is anxiety. In an effort to allay some of those nerves, I asked members of the Braymere Custom Saddlery Facebook page to contribute their best BreyerFest survival tips. Today's post is a compilation of the responses.

Officially, BreyerFest starts on July 15, but most attendees will arrive sooner. It's going to be a lot of people from a lot of places in close proximity to one another. If you haven't already done so, please consider updating your Covid-19 vaccination status now.

Of course, Covid isn't the only disease threat on the BreyerFest menu. Con crud - the common cold, mild flu or similar illness that often strikes towards the end of a convention - is always a concern. To combat this, Sarah Townsend recommends taking  Emergen-C Immune Plus for a week before the event, noting that "it really seems to make a difference."

Other BreyerFest health concerns include heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

The best way to avoid these is to be prepared. Sunscreen and appropriate clothing are musts. Teresa Buzzell writes: Invest in tech fabrics. Amazon Basics has some good deals if pricing is an issue. Also, bring at least at least two extra changes of clothes. You'll probably need them!

Tiffani Colvin adds: For me, the most important things are shade and a Camelbak (hydrating backpack). Two of my medications cause extreme sensitivity to the sun, so I bring an umbrella with me. I am careful when I'm in a crowded area, and I stay aware of where the horses are since some horses will spook at it. As much as I love my sandals I always wear tennis shoes since they are more comfortable for all the walking.

It would be impossible to overstate the importance of staying hydrated. Water is available at the Horse Park, but it's pricey. To get around that, Andrea Brygidyr offers this solution: If you are a Collector Club member, you get free water in the tent. It's worth the membership just for that because water at the park is so expensive otherwise. You can easily drink more than the membership is worth.

Another way to beat the heat is to schedule air conditioning breaks. The International Museum of the Horse, the American Saddlebred Museum and the Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop are all right there and definitely worth a visit. Also, as Teresa Buzzell likes to say, it's okay to go back to the hotel during the day to take a second shower!

Along those same lines, don't run yourself ragged trying to do everything. Mary Vinyard offers this advice: Pick out some key events/shows/seminars to attend then play the rest by ear. I spent my first few visits making myself crazy trying to see and do everything. It wasn't fun. Don't feel guilty for sleeping in one day or spending time in your room or doing other non BreyerFest things. You are on vacation and deserve to enjoy it!

Kelly Weimer concurs. Here's her best tip: Don’t try to do everything. One year, I showed at NAN for two days, judged the BreyerFest Youth and Children's Show, the Stone Show and then showed the BreyerFest Open Show. Just no. I now pick one or two things I really want to do and enjoy the spontaneous nature of everything else. Be content that you WILL miss out on something. (Still worried I’ll miss out on something.)

Christie Richardson agrees: I'm still physically recovering from doing two days of NAN, the resin show and BF Open performance. And that was four or five years ago.

While we tend to focus on the plastic pony side of things - it is BreyerFest, after all - several people reminded me that this is also an excellent opportunity to interact with real horses, both on and off the Kentucky Horse Park grounds. 

The Breed Barn and Hall of Champions have scheduled showings throughout the day and there are exhibitions and meet and greets in the main BreyerFest area.

Karla Phelps writes: You can drive around the park after hours - it’s 1100 acres big and there are pastures and paddocks and old buildings at the far back. It’s so quiet and serene when there are no visitors.

With so much to see and do, it's tempting to forgo sleep. Sandra Gibson writes: Don't expect to sleep, but also do your best to try to get at least six hours.

She also reminds us: Watch out for other people. If you see someone who looks like they are in distress (need a drink, or some shade), try to assist them. It's not all about the plastic horses. Check in with your friends and make sure everyone's staying hydrated and fed especially in the heat of Kentucky.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this post. Parts two and three will cover shopping and socializing!